April 21, 2011

For Me, But Not For Thee

The senator's father died when he was sixteen. For the next two years, he received Social Security survivor benefits--benefits that enabled him to go to college, earn two degrees (economics and political science), land a Congressional internship, ascend to the top spot in the Budget Committee...and cripple the very program that started him on his way.

Shall I dub thee "monumental hypocrite?"

Seriously, folks, this is what Social Security does. It's not just for old farts anymore, and it never was. Their Top Services: Apply for Benefits page lists these available services.

Retirement, spouses and/or Medicare benefits

Survivors benefits
Disability benefits
For a child
For an adult
Child's benefits
Parents benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
For a child
For an adult with a disability
For an adult age 65 or older

This is a program that benefits all the American people, and we all pay for it. Willingly so, in most cases...certainly in mine.

And the Republicans want to gut it.

I think we're facing a crucial moment as a country. Do we want to remain the America we know, the compassionate America that takes care of its own? Or do we want to turn into a heartless corporate dictatorship that throws its worker-slaves under the bridge when they can't work anymore?

Take a look at which political party wants to turn America into Koch-istan...and vote accordingly.